The Brooklyn Nets have created a $19.9 million traded player exception for the summer by trading sharpshooter Joe Harris to the Detroit Pistons.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Nets will send two future second-round picks along with Harris’ expiring contract to the Pistons.
For the Nets, this is addition by subtraction. Meanwhile, Detroit had $35 million in space under the NBA salary cap before making this trade. It now takes on Harris and his expiring deal into cap room while adding future draft capital to the mix. It’s a clear indication that general manager Troy Weaver doesn’t expect to be too active during NBA free agency.
Related: Updated NBA trade tracker with grades
Joe Harris stats (2022-23): 7.6 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 46% shooting, 43% 3-point
Harris, 31, saw a reduction in minutes for the Brooklyn Nets this past season. From 2017-22, the former second-round pick from Virginia averaged 13.1 points and 3.8 rebounds on 45% shooting from distance in north of 29 minutes per action. His minutes total fell to 20.6 per game this past season.
By making this move and yielding two future second-round picks (2027 and 2029), the Nets create a huge traded-player exception. It will give general manager Sean Marks more avenues to pursue upgrades on a roster that surprised many by earning a playoff appearance following trades of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving during the in-season NBA trade deadline.
As for Detroit, it could either buy out Joe Harris or keep him to help create experience on a roster that’s filled with youth.